Glastonbury Abbey is an independent registered charity (no. 1129263) and a company limited by guarantee (no. 6873912), with visitor income and donations the only sources of income. The abbey is governed by a board of trustees.

Head of Finance

• Salary Up to £50,000 FTE depending on experience
• Contract: Permanent
• Hours: 23.5 hours per week (maximum)
• Reports to: The Director of Glastonbury Abbey.
• Principal working relationships: The Director and Senior Leadership Team
• Reporting to this post: Finance Team, Managers

Purpose of the Post: The primary purpose of this post is to provide leadership and take overall responsibility for the financial activities of Glastonbury Abbey as well as contributing to the policies and practices that operate throughout all departments. The post requires excellent knowledge of financial planning and management, the ability to effectively communicate financial matters and a calm and unruffled approach.

Principal Accountabilities and tasks:

Management and Leadership

• The Head of Finance is a key member of the senior leadership team (SLT) and will work closely with fellow members of the SLT and with the Director in overseeing the operations of the abbey.
• Reporting to the Director, the Head of Finance will be accountable for the financial and operational sustainability and efficiency of Glastonbury Abbey, ensuring all regulatory and statutory requirements are met and financial controls are in place across all areas of activity.
• The Head of Finance is directly responsible for the recruitment, training and management of the finance team, which comprises 4 staff including 2 Finance and Support Officers and a temporary data assistant.
• The Head of Finance will have senior management oversight of the two members of staff responsible for the role of Company Secretary and HR
• Participate in the formulation and effective delivery and achievement of Glastonbury Abbey objectives and policies.
• Promote co-operative and effective working across abbey staff teams and contribute to cross-team initiatives as required.

The Head of Finance will have the following key responsibilities:

Accounting and controls

• Manage the efficient working of the abbey’s accounting and internal financial control systems
• Working with the Finance team, prepare periodic management accounts for the organisation to be presented to the SLT, the Finance Committee, board of trustees and Trading Board.
• Manage the annual year-end accounting process, including liaison with the external auditors

Budgeting and cash flow forecasts

• Work closely with the Director and SLT to prepare an annual operating budget.
• Regularly appraise and report performance of actual versus budget. Proactively identify mitigations where the performance is falling behind budget.
• Prepare cash flow forecasts and monitor and report actual against forecast.

Professional relationships & Compliance

• Develop and maintain professional relationships with the bankers, auditors and other statutory bodies such as HMRC, pensions advisers, Charity Commission etc.
• Ensure that VAT and corporation tax returns are prepared on a timely basis and submitted to the relevant authorities within reporting deadlines.
• Prepare and present the relevant reports to the Finance Committee, Trading Board, Trustee meetings and SLT
• Advise the Director on risk management particularly relating to financial issues
• Ensure that all filings with the Charity Commission and Companies House are made on a timely basis.
• Be familiar with the content and application of the Articles of Association, the charitable objectives and any other governing documents.
• Ensure that the Abbey and the trading company are compliant with the requirements of current legislation affecting the activities and governance of the charity and of the trading company

Experience

• Leadership experience across a full range of business functions and systems, including strategic development and planning, budgeting, finance and business analysis
• Experience working in a senior management role, managing or overseeing the financial function of a similar sized organisation with demonstrable experience of setting, monitoring and reviewing financial controls.
• Experience of working in the heritage or charity sector would be an advantage

Skills

• Thorough understanding of all financial, regulatory and statutory reporting
• Current knowledge of financial reporting, tax and pensions
• High level of business acumen, problem solving and project management
• Strong people management and team leadership skills with proven success
• Strong communication skills, presentation, written and spoken
• Ability to delegate whilst maintaining personal responsibility
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines

Personal attributes

• A genuine interest in all that is Glastonbury Abbey, its history, its commitment to the local community, its importance as a major tourist destination, its spiritual objectives and relevance.
• A strong team player and communicator, working in partnership with other members of the SLT to achieve joint objectives
• A commercially minded person with ability to encourage ambition and a culture of entrepreneurialism whilst managing risk
• A results-oriented person who enjoys working hard and is not afraid of a challenge
• Personal integrity and confidentiality.

Education, Training and qualifications

Ideally the successful candidate will have the following qualifications.

• A university degree or equivalent and/or
• A professional qualification such as CIMA, ACA or ACCA

However other qualifications and educational achievements will be considered.

To discuss details about the role and to ask any questions prior to applying please email

Nils Lloyd-Penny at nils@matureaccountants.com.

To apply: Please download the Glastonbury Abbey application form and return it to:

nils@matureaccountants.com